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Kheder brings over 30 years of Judo experience to this tournament (Photo courtesy of Bellator).

Former Judo Olympian to Compete in Lightweight Competition

Bellator Fighting Championships has confirmed that Ferrid Kheder (18-5-1) will participate in its upcoming Season 4 Lightweight Tournament, which kicks off in March. A former Judo Olympian, Kheder’s entrance into this competition is over a year in the making after appendicitis forced him to withdrawal from the Bellator Season 2 Lightweight Tournament in 2010.

Kheder is a decorated Judokan, where the Black Belt racked up five European Judo Championships, seven Judo World Cup medals and represented France in the 2000 Olympic Games. The 35-year-old fighter turned to professional Mixed Martial Arts in 2006, and the current Las Vegas resident has fought for numerous promotions on his road to Bellator. Already knowing first-hand how rare it is to get a shot at a championship title, Kheder enters this competition focused on capitalizing on his opportunity to do just that.

“I'm absolutely determined to win this tournament,” Kheder remarked. “I think I'm one of the best in the world when I have the proper training and I'm fully prepared. I have three fights to win in this tournament, and then I'll have the opportunity to fight for the title against one of the best lightweights in the world. I know this is a really huge opportunity for me.”

Kheder now joins Lloyd Woodard, Michael Chandler, Carey Vanier and Rob McCullough as the confirmed participants in the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament, which will take place over the 12-week season from March until May. The winner of the competition will earn a crack at current champion Eddie Alvarez, along with a $100,000 purse. Bellator will air live broadcasts of each match in the tournament after the promotion signed a three-year deal with MTV2 in 2010.